Sub. H.B. 422*

127th General Assembly

(As Reported by H. Economic Development & Environment)

Reps. Setzer, J. McGregor, Evans, Yuko, Harwood, Goodwin, DeBose

BILL SUMMARY

· Creates the Water Resources and Economic Development Study Committee to study the use of water resources in Ohio as a mechanism for economic development.

· Requires the Committee to prepare and submit a report to the General Assembly that evaluates Ohio's water resources and how those resources can be best utilized as a mechanism for economic development.

CONTENT AND OPERATION

The bill creates the Water Resources and Economic Development Study Committee consisting of the following members:

(1)  Two members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom must be a member of the majority party and one of whom must be a member of the minority party;

(2)  Two members of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate, one of whom must be a member of the majority party and one of whom must be a member of the minority party;

(3)  The following members appointed by the Governor:

(a)  One member representing the Board of Regents;

(b)  One member representing the Environmental Protection Agency;

(c)  One member representing the Department of Natural Resources;

(d)  One member representing the Public Works Commission;

(e)  One member representing the Ohio Lake Erie Commission;

(f)  One member representing county commissioners;

(g)  One member representing townships;

(h)  One member representing municipal corporations;

(i)  One member representing county engineers;

(j)  One member representing conservancy districts;

(k)  One member representing regional water and sewer districts;

(l)  One member representing county sewer districts;

(m)  One member representing soil and water conservation districts;

(n)  One member representing the Ohio Society of Professional Engineers;

(o)  Two members representing port authorities; and

(p)  Two members representing nonprofit organizations who must have specific knowledge regarding the use of the water resources in Ohio as a mechanism for economic development.

Appointments to the Committee must be made not later than 30 days after the effective date of the bill. Members of the Committee must serve without compensation. At the initial meeting of the Committee, members of the Committee must elect a legislative member of the Committee as chairperson. Thereafter, the chairperson must call meetings as the chairperson considers necessary for the Committee to carry out its duties.

The bill requires the Committee to study the use of water resources in Ohio as a mechanism for economic development. Not later than one year after the effective date of the bill, the Committee must prepare and submit a report to the General Assembly that evaluates Ohio's water resources and how those resources can be best utilized as a mechanism for economic development. The report also must make recommendations to the General Assembly regarding any policy changes that are needed to effectuate that economic development. Upon submission of the report, the Committee ceases to exist.

HISTORY

ACTION	DATE
Introduced	01-08-08
Reported, H. Economic Development & Environment	---

H0422-RH-127.doc/jc

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* This analysis was prepared before the report of the House Economic Development & Environment Committee appeared in the House Journal. Note that the list of co-sponsors and the legislative history may be incomplete.